Way of Wade All City 12 Encore
The Way of Wade All City 12 Encore is a revamped version of the Way of Wade All City 12, a very good and very well-balanced basketball shoe. How does this version perform on court?
Release Date: 2024
Price: $150
The Way of Wade All City 12 Encore is an updated version of the 12th iteration in Dwyane Wade’s All City line. Way of Wade’s All City models are the take-down version of the flagship model for the year, but they’re highly regarded among consumers because they usually offer most of the same performance features found in the flagship at a considerably lower price.
This was the case with the first version of the All City 12 we tested. That shoe made it onto our list of the best Way of Wade basketball shoes overall, was chosen as our top outdoor basketball shoe for 2024, and was a great all-around basketball shoe.
But, this new “Encore” model features several important changes/updates. So let’s jump into the review, and see how these perform on court.
Way of Wade All City 12 Encore Review
Way of Wade All City 12 Encore Tech Specs:
Way of Wade All City 12 Encore Traction
The traction pattern of the All City 12 Encore is odd. It’s nothing like what we saw on the original All City 12, and, at first glance, it doesn’t look like it would be especially effective on court. In this case, however, looks can be deceiving. This setup is much more reminiscent of what we saw on the Way of Wade 11 and on the JB 2 (Jimmy Butler shoe). Neither of those setups looked promising either, but both offered exceptional traction.
The rubber compound Way of Wade used on this shoe is similar to what we saw on both of those models. The semi-translucent rubber on the outsole is grippy and more durable than it looks. So the traction should hold up well outdoors (though maybe not as well as what we saw on the OG All City 12) and provide excellent grip and court control.
There are also solid rubber options available on the market if you prefer a different aesthetic or if you’re worried that the translucent options won’t be as tough. Overall, the traction performance of the All-City 12 Encore will work great across different surfaces.
Way of Wade All City 12 Encore Cushion
This is clearly a standout feature of the All City 12 Encore. For a sneaker priced at $149, the full-length Boom cushioning system provides a lot of bang for your buck. Boom foam is Li-Ning’s proprietary ETPU foam, which is similar to Adidas’ Boost or Nike’s React. Boom is lighter than Boost and it’s a very well-balanced foam. It offers a nearly perfect blend of impact protection and compression without sacrificing responsiveness and court feel.
The cushioning is stabilized by a cupsole setup, which provides both lateral support and some torsional rigidity. While Boom isn’t as bouncy as Nike’s ZoomX, for example, it is much more stable which makes it a better option for bigger players who need a solid base underfoot.
The Boom is exposed on the medial side of the shoe, which allows for a bit more softness and flexibility in that area. Overall, the cushioning setup provides a smooth ride, good shock absorption, and responsiveness that caters to a variety of playing styles.
Way of Wade All City 12 Encore Materials
The materials used on the All City 12 Encore are, in our opinion, an upgrade compared to the previous version. Here at WearTesters, we like shoes that use a mix of materials, like modern textiles combined with classic leather (including the synthetic variety, as long as it performs well). Materials do vary slightly between colorways, but the pair we reviewed features a soft, synthetic leather material over the toe box, which adds a touch of durability and structure without feeling overly stiff.
Although the leather isn’t premium, it’s soft and pliable, which will cut down on break-in time. The textile portions of the shoe, particularly the open-cell mesh around the midfoot, are lightweight and breathable, contributing to the overall comfort and ventilation of the All City 12 Encore.
The combination of materials creates a nice balance between durability and comfort. While the synthetic leather may not have the luxurious feel of higher-end models, it serves its purpose well for a basketball shoe designed to take a beating on the court. The lightweight textiles ensure that the shoe doesn’t feel too bulky, allowing for good mobility and agility during play and keeping the shoe as lightweight and airy as possible.
Way of Wade All City 12 Encore Support
Support is another one of the All City 12 Encore’s strong suits, particularly for players who are looking for stability and robust containment in their footwear. The shoe features a large external heel counter, which provides excellent lockdown and prevents any unwanted heel slippage. The cupsole construction we mentioned adds stability to the midsole as well, ensuring that the shoe doesn’t tip over when making quick cuts and lateral movements.
Additionally, the shoe includes a beefy TPU torsional plate, which extends into the forefoot, and wraps up the forefoot slightly, similar to the Isoplate featured in the Luka 3. This torsion plate setup will be appreciated by heavier, more powerful players who need extra stability in their shoes. Smaller, shiftier players may find the rigidity of the torsion system slightly restrictive compared to more flexible models.
The shoe also features a raised lateral sidewall which acts as a particularly useful stability piece for players who tend to land on the edges of their feet as they play. Overall, the All City 12 Encore is a very sturdy and secure feeling model on court.
Way of Wade All City 12 Encore Fit
The All City 12 Encore fits true to size in length, but it has a tapered toe box. This narrow fit in the forefoot might not work great for players with wider feet or those who prefer a roomier toe box. If you have narrow or normal-width feet, the snug fit will likely provide a secure and locked-in feel. However, players with wider feet, may need to go up a half size to avoid discomfort.
Way of Wade All City 12 Encore Overall
The Way of Wade All City 12 Encore is a very solid all-around performance model with no real weak points. The shoe is on the stiffer side and will require a longer break-in period, and wide footers will probably need to go up half a size. But besides that, everything else is top-notch.
The full-length Boom cushioning is very well balanced, the traction is great and more durable than it looks, and containment and support are near-elite. As a bonus, this is one of the rare Way of Wade models to feature (synthetic) leather. You would be hard put to find a better setup for the price.
The Way of Wade All City 12 Encore will be especially great for heavier players with an explosive playing style. The excellent cushioning system in conjunction with the souped-up torsional support makes these ideal for this type of hooper.
